Veterans for Peace, University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Office of Equity & Human Rights, Peace Iowa, and Johnson County United Nations Association will mark International Day of Peace with a program at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, at Mercer Park, Shelter #1. The United Nations General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by resolution 36/67 of the UN General Assembly to coincide with its opening session, which is held annually on the third Tuesday of September. The first Peace Day was observed in September 1982. In 2001, the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 55/282, which established Sept. 21 as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire.

The theme of this year’s International Day of Peace is “End racism. Build peace.” The program will include a UNA Land Proclamation, presentation of a peace pole to the park, and the Family Folk Machine: Sing Peace.

This event offers a unique opportunity to reaffirm the United Nations' commitment to the purposes and principles upon which the organization was founded. The Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace recognizes that the promotion of peace is vital for the full enjoyment of all human rights. Learn more here.